R&R Final PDF's November '17 cc

News
Public awareness on CO safety is still inadequate
Recently released figures by the CO Be Alarmed campaign (co-bealarmed.co.uk) show that almost a third of renters in the UK do not have a
potentially life-saving carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in their property. Adrian Keats from Honeywell’s Home Safety business is reminding installers
of the importance of these devices, and says that advising the public on CO safety is paramount.
“CO safety is now more relevant than ever, with around 50 people dying from CO poisoning every year, and more than 200 being admitted to
hospital,” he said. “But installers can take a lead role in reversing this trend by alerting homeowners, landlords and tenants of the dangers,
following best practice for siting and providing the appropriate level of protection. In this way, CO-related injuries and deaths can easily be
avoided.
“Under current regulations, landlords in England and Wales are only required to provide a CO alarm in properties with a solid fuel appliance.
However, more than 80% of homes contain a gas appliance, meaning a large number of renters could be endangered by inefficient combustion
processes that produce CO contamination. What’s more, the danger may not be so evident, as CO is a silent killer.
“For complete protection, a CO alarm should be placed in every room which contains a fuel burning appliance, as well as an alarm in any
bedroom in the building.”
UK launch for water leak detection
Central Alliance has entered into a strategic partnership with
specialist satellite imaging analysis organisation ULTILIS Corp. to
bring a revolutionary new method of analysing saturated ground
and detecting water leaks to the UK.
The technology enables organisations to map ground saturation
and water leaks remotely from space using innovative satellite
imaging analysis. The innovative, cutting-edge technology can also
be used to highlight drainage issues across areas of land, as well as
spot areas that could be prone to earthworks or structure failures.
Presented in the form of a ‘heat map,’ data analysis can also help
understand the potential impacts of leaking water pipes and their
interaction with critical infrastructure and identify ‘at-risk’ locations,
where structures or earthworks could be prone to failure.
Berry Piling secures Camden Lock project
Piling contractor Berry Piling London, specialists in restricted access
piling works, won the contract to install secant piling at Camden
Lock Village in London, working on behalf of main contractor Mace.
A sequence of 450mm diameter secant piles will be installed
through a number of rail viaduct arches off Kentish Town Road,
Camden in London, in order to retain structures during the
excavation of five service trenches. The project was not without its
difficulties, and required the company’s specialist piling knowledge
of similar projects. Mace led an 18 month process of obtaining
Network Rail approval for the works, leading to Berry Piling’s
appointment.
The piling scope of works commenced in September 2017, and
utilised two of its specialist low headroom and restricted access
piling rigs.
Supply Chain School leads launch of landmark report
Whether designing homes, hospitals, workplaces, schools, shops or railway stations, social value matters. From mitigating impacts of austerity
through affordability, to combatting ageism via accessibility, it is critical to creating inclusive, caring communities, for health, wealth and
wellbeing.
Now, five years on from the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, its significance for projects in the built environment extends far beyond the
procurement of public-sector services; it has changed client expectations of how construction, infrastructure, refurbishment, fit-out and facilities
management projects should be delivered.
With ‘Social Value and Design of the Built Environment,’ the Supply Chain Sustainability School has brought together expertise from across the
design community, plus construction and civil engineering as a whole, to inform and inspire both current practitioners and the next generation
of professionals.
The document explores why social value in design matters, what trends are driving the agenda, where the key challenges lie and, ultimately,
what designers themselves, both individually and collectively, can do as part of a strategy for conducting their business responsibly. For a 21st
century architectural practice, delivering social value is not just about projects, but process, too.
Turning policy into practice, the 53-page report showcases an extensive gallery of case-studies across six prime built environment sectors;
Infrastructure, Education, Housing, Health, Offices, and Retail. The range of exemplars speaks to the diversity of applications of social value in
design.
6 Refurb retrofit
magazine
November 2017 R6